117
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Numerical simulation of tornado-like vortices around complex geometries

Pages 1947-1955 | Received 05 Sep 2008, Accepted 02 May 2009, Published online: 18 Nov 2010
 

Abstract

In this paper, numerical simulations of tornadoes are presented. The problem considered is to first simulate numerically a tornado-like vortex passing through a populated area and then analyse the paths as it impacts structures. This study was invigorated after a tornado, classified F2 on the Fujita scale, striked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Campus in December 2006. The computational domain used in this study is the Florida ERAU Campus and includes accurately all the different buildings. Computations of turbulent flow around several complex shaped buildings are performed using a k−ε turbulence model. The tornado is modelled by means of a vortex which is generated using a pressure gradient. The results obtained are physically reasonable and serve as a first step towards modelling tornadoes.

2000 AMS Subject Classifications :

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. I would like to thank Mr. Florian Meyer from ISITV (Toulon, France) and Ms. Violaine Fabre MATMECA (Bordeaux, France) for their help.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.